Covid-19 has caused a worldwide medical catastrophe and brought some industries to their knees. However, when the smoke clears, is rail set to benefit from a surge of international travel? We find out, and also explore how the rail sector has contributed to coronavirus relief efforts worldwide.

We ask whether the pandemic has affected the implementation of positive train control systems across US railroads ahead of the Federal Railroad Administration’s December deadline. Meanwhile, in the UK, we take a closer look at Network Rail’s East Coast Digital Programme – which could herald one of its most ambitious signalling upgrades to date.

Also in this issue: we investigate the potential of 5G and video on demand services on trains, do our best to catch up with hyper-fast maglev services being trialled in Japan and China, and take a trip back in time with an iconic Spanish railway station that could return to action after years of lying dormant.

Joe Baker, editor